Learn about sea turtles during free walks on Saturdays in June and July.

Sea turtle tracks and a nest that has been marked by Mote's Sea Turtle Patrol (Credit Mote Marine Laboratory).

Florida's Gulf Coast is a hotspot for nesting sea turtles, but how much do you know about our flippered friends? You can learn the tale behind the turtle tracks and scout local beaches for nests by joining Mote Marine Laboratory's Turtle Walks — free educational strolls offered in collaboration with Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort.

A Mote-trained volunteer will lead groups to scout for signs of turtle nesting while discussing sea turtles and other local wildlife and natural habitats. Hilton guests and the public are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No reservations are needed.

Walks begin at 6:45 a.m. every Saturday in June and July. Participants should meet at Hilton's pool area and expect a leisurely 1.5 mile walk on Longboat Key.

Groups might find evidence of turtle nests or of "false crawls" — when females come ashore but return to sea without nesting. Guides will describe how Mote scientists and trained volunteers carefully interpret and document these signs. Participants will also learn how all beachgoers, coastal residents and visitors can keep beaches safe and inviting for sea turtles.

Sarasota County beaches provide nesting grounds for threatened loggerhead sea turtles, endangered green sea turtles and occasionally for other sea turtle species. Florida's west coast hosts the largest nesting population of loggerheads in the Gulf of Mexico. Nesting season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31.

Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program has monitored daily sea turtle nesting along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches every season for more than 30 years.

• Learn more about our sea turtle research and monitoring efforts at www.mote.org/seaturtles.